CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A 33-year-old Mingo County pedophile faces up to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to production of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Paul Silas Jenkins, of Williamson, pleaded guilty today in federal court before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. in Charleston.

U.S. Attorney Goodwin said, “Cases involving the exploitation of innocent children are so critical. This case underscores the fact that sexual exploitation remains a serious problem.” Goodwin continued, “My initiative to combat despicable acts of child sexual abuse will continue.”

Beginning some time in 2010 and December 2011, Jenkins established a relationship with a minor between the age of 12 and 16 years old. During that time, Jenkins persuaded the minor to perform sexual acts and then produced a video of the conduct. Jenkins copied the video containing child pornography onto a recordable DVD. The DVD was discovered inside a rented computer that was returned to a Rent-A-Center located in Pike County, Kentucky.

Jenkins is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20, 2013.

The FBI and the West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada is in charge of the prosecution.

This case is being brought as part of U.S. Attorney Goodwin’s ongoing initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia.